I disagreed with someone recently about the confused branding behind AppleTV, the AppleTV app and the AppleTV+ service. To me one is hardware, one is software the other is a service. It got me thinking about some other elements of Apple’s current product lineups which aren’t quite so straight forward in my view. It’s mostly because of the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Why does the iPad Pro get a non pro chip, but the iPhone Pro’s now get a pro chip? Why do the iPad Air and 24 inch iMac have the M1 chip when they’re not marketed as pro devices like the iPad Pro’s and 13 inch MacBook?
Why is the entry level iPad called iPad, whereas the entry level Apple Watch and iPhone are called SE. The entry level MacBook is the Air, yet the iPad Air is the mid level iPad? Don’t even get me started on why the 6.1 inch iPhone is called Plus and the Pro version Max.
Then you have the Ultra branding. Used on Apple Watch for the high end model, in every other category the Ultra name is used only on the chips of some Macs.
There doesn’t seem to be any consistency at all across all product segments. There are MacBook Pro’s with M1/M2 pro and non pro chips. The iPad Pro’s get the M1/M2 chips. Consistent if you consider the MacBook Pro with M1/M2. Problem is the iPhone Pro’s now get the A17Pro
If Apple were to come up with products from every category that fit the same branding strategy, it would simplify their marketing and be a great opportunity to roll out their much rumoured hardware subscription.
Tier 1 Air subscription
Apple Watch Air (choose your size-currently the SE)
iPhone Air (Currently the SE)
AirPods
iPad Air (requires branding switch between current iPad and iPad Air)
MacBook Air (choose between 13 and 15 inch models)
Tier 2 Standard subscription
Apple Watch (choose your size-currently the Series 9)
iPhone 6.1 inch
AirPods
iPad (requires branding switch between current iPad and iPad Air)
MacBook (new model required - choose your size)
Tier 3 Standard Plus Subscription
Apple Watch (choose your size)
iPhone (currently the 6.7 inch)
AirPods
iPad (requires branding switch between current iPad and iPad Air)
MacBook (new model required - choose your size)
Tier 4 Pro subscription
Apple Watch Pro (currently the Ultra)
iPhone Pro 6.1 inch
AirPods Pro
iPad Pro 11 inch
MacBook Pro 14 inch
Tier 5 Pro Plus subscription
Apple Watch Pro (currently the Ultra)
iPhone Pro 6.7 inch
AirPods Max
iPad Pro (choose between 11 and 12.9 inch models)
MacBook Pro (choose between 14 and 16 inch models)
Leave your thoughts in the comments section, thanks for reading.
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